DM Pulmonary Medicine: Admissions, Medical Colleges, fees, eligibility criteria details

The course is a full-time course pursued at various recognized medical colleges across the country. Some of the top medical colleges offering this course include All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh and more.

Admission to this course is done through the NEET-SS Entrance exam conducted by the National Board of Examinations, followed by counseling based on the scores of the exam that is conducted by DGHS/MCC/State Authorities.

The fee for pursuing DM (Pulmonary Medicine) varies from college to college and may range from Rs.7,000 to Rs. 20,00,000 per year.

After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the job market or can pursue certificate courses and Fellowship programmes recognized by NMC and NBE. Candidates can take reputed jobs as Senior residents, Consultants, etc. with an approximate salary range of Rs18 lakhs to Rs. 25 lakhs per year depending upon their expertise.

What is DM in Pulmonary Medicine?

Doctorate of Medicine in Pulmonary Medicine, also known as DM (Pulmonary Medicine) or DM in (Pulmonary Medicine) is a three-year super speciality programme that candidates can pursue after completing a postgraduate degree.

Pulmonary Medicine is the sub-speciality of Internal Medicine that focuses on diseases involving the respiratory tract. It deals primarily with diseases afflicting the lungs. It also encompasses areas like critical care and sleep medicine.

It also deals with conditions such as lung cancer, acute complications caused by respiratory failure, Bronchitis, Cancer, Asthma, Tuberculosis, etc.

The postgraduate students must gain ample knowledge and experience in the diagnosis, and treatment of patients with acute, serious, and life-threatening medical and surgical diseases.

PG education intends to create specialists who can contribute to high-quality health care and advances in science through research and training.

The required training done by a postgraduate specialist in the field of Pulmonary Medicine would help the specialist to recognize the health needs of the community. The student should be competent to handle medical problems effectively and should be aware of the recent advances in their speciality.

The candidate is also expected to know the principles of research methodology and modes of the consulting library. The candidate should regularly attend conferences, workshops and CMEs to upgrade her/ his knowledge.

Course Highlights

Here are some of the course highlights of DM in Pulmonary Medicine

Name of Course	DM in Pulmonary Medicine
Level	Doctorate
Duration of Course	Three years
Course Mode	Full Time
Minimum Academic Requirement	Candidates must have a postgraduate medical Degree in MD/DNB (General Medicine) or MD/DNB (Paediatrics) or MD/DNB (Respiratory Medicine) obtained from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (Now NMC)/NBE, this feeder qualification mentioned here is as of 2022. For any further changes to the prerequisite requirement please refer to the NBE website.
Admission Process / Entrance Process / Entrance Modalities	Entrance Exam (NEET-SS) INI CET for various AIIMS, PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry, NIMHANS Bengaluru Counseling by DGHS/MCC/State Authorities
Course Fees	Rs.7,000 to Rs.20,00,000 per year
Average Salary	Rs.18 lakhs to Rs. 25 lakhs per year

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for DM in Pulmonary Medicine are defined as the set of rules or minimum prerequisites that aspirants must meet to be eligible for admission, which include:

Name of DM course	Course Type	Prior Eligibility Requirement
Pulmonary Medicine	DM	MD/DNB (General Medicine)
		MD/DNB (Paediatrics)
		MD/DNB (Respiratory Medicine)

Note:

· The feeder qualification for DM in Pulmonary Medicine is defined by the NBE and is subject to changes by the NBE.

· The feeder qualification mentioned here is as of 2022.

· For any changes, please refer to the NBE website.

· The candidate must have obtained permanent registration with any State Medical Council to be eligible for admission.

· The medical college's recognition cut-off dates for the Postgraduate Degree courses shall be as prescribed by the Medical Council of India (now NMC).

Admission Process

• The admission process contains a few steps to be followed in order by the candidates for admission to DM in Pulmonary Medicine. Candidates can view the complete admission process for DM in Pulmonary Medicine mentioned below:

• The NEET-SS or National Eligibility Entrance Test for Super specialty courses is a national-level master's level examination conducted by the NBE for admission to DM/MCh/DrNB Courses.

• Qualifying Criteria-Candidates placed at the 50th percentile or above shall be declared as qualified in the NEET-SS in their respective speciality.

• The following medical institutions are not covered under centralized admissions for DM/ MCh courses through NEET-SS:

1. AIIMS, New Delhi and other AIIMS
2. PGIMER, Chandigarh
3. JIPMER, Puducherry
4. NIMHANS, Bengaluru

• Candidates from all eligible feeder speciality subjects shall be required to appear in the question paper of the respective group if they are willing to opt for a super speciality course in any of the super speciality courses covered in that group.

• A candidate can opt for appearing in the question papers of as many groups for which his/her Postgraduate speciality qualification is an eligible feeder qualification.

• By appearing in the question paper of a group and on qualifying for the examination, a candidate shall be eligible to exercise his/her choices in the counselling only for those super-speciality subjects covered in the said group for which his/ her broad speciality is an eligible feeder qualification.

Fees Structure

The fee structure for DM in Pulmonary Medicine varies from college to college. The fee is generally less for Government Institutes and more for private institutes. The average fee structure for DM in Pulmonary Medicine is around Rs.7,000 to Rs. 20,00,000 per year.

Colleges offering DM in Pulmonary Medicine

Various medical colleges across India offer courses for pursuing DM in Pulmonary Medicine.

As per National Medical Commission (NMC) website, the following medical colleges are offering DM in (Pulmonary Medicine) courses for the academic year 2022-23.

Sl.No.	Course Name	State	Name and Address of Medical College / Medical Institution	Management of College	Annual Intake (Seats)
1	DM - Pulmonary Medicine	Bihar	All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna	Govt.	2
2	DM - Pulmonary Medicine	Chandigarh	Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh	Govt.	4
3	DM - Pulmonary Medicine	Chattisgarh	All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur	Govt.	2
4	DM - Pulmonary Medicine	Delhi	ESI-PGIMSR, ESI Hospital, Basaidarapur, New Delhi	Govt.	2
5	DM - Pulmonary Medicine	Delhi	VP Chest Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi	Govt.	2
6	DM - Pulmonary Medicine	Karnataka	St. Johns Medical College, Bangalore	Trust	2
7	DM - Pulmonary Medicine	Kerala	Government Medical College, Kozhikode, Calicut	Govt.	1
8	DM - Pulmonary Medicine	Kerala	Amrita School of Medicine, Elamkara, Kochi	Trust	2
9	DM - Pulmonary Medicine	Uttarakhand	All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh	Govt.	20

Syllabus

DM in Pulmonary Medicine is a three years specialization course that provides training in the stream of Pulmonary Medicine.

NMC as of (27/02/23) has not defined a Competency-Based Curriculum for DM Pulmonary Medicine. The course content of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham below provides an exact outline of what a DM in Pulmonary Medicine candidate has to undergo while training:

Each DM student is required to possess a comprehensive knowledge of the basic and clinical sciences related to pulmonary medicine and critical care, and clinical skills in diagnosing respiratory and other medical disorders. He/She should have personally performed a sufficient number of both invasive and noninvasive procedures for diagnosis and treatment (such as broncho-endoscopic examination and assisted ventilation): and manage acute respiratory emergencies. He /she should also possess sufficient knowledge and experience in research methodology and development.

1. THEORY OF PULMONARY MEDICINE

1.1Basic Sciences

1.1.1 Anatomy Respiratory System

(a) Anatomy and histology of the respiratory system including airways,

pleura, chest wall, lungs and mediastinum.

(b) Applied embryology of lungs, mediastinum and diaphragm

(c) Developmental anomalies

1.1.2 Physiology and Biochemistry

(a) Assessment of pulmonary functions

(b)Control of ventilation

(c) Pulmonary mechanics

(d)Ventilation, pulmonary blood flow, gas exchange and transport:

respiratory reflexes including cough reflex: and lung defenses including respiratory surfactant

(e) Exercise physiology and testing.

(f) Non-respiratory functions of the lung.

(g)Inhalation kinetics and its implication in aerosol therapy, and sputum induction.

(h)Acid-base and electrolyte balance

(i) Physiology of sleep and the sleep disorders

(j) Pathophysiology of respiratory disorders

1.1.3 Microbiology

(a) Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other mycobacteria

(b)Laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis (including staining, culture and immunological techniques) Recent advances in the diagnosis of Tuberculosis like Molecular methods.

(c) Virulence and pathogenicity of mycobacteria

(d)Bacteria causing respiratory diseases

(e) Mycoplasma and respiratory tract infections

(f) Anaerobes in pleuropulmonary infections

(g)Laboratory diagnosis of non-tuberculosis infections of the respiratory tract

(h)Respiratory viruses

(i) Human immunodeficiency virus

(j) Respiratory fungi:

i. Classification of fungal diseases of the lung: Candidiasis.

Actinomycosis, Nacardiosis, Aspergillosis, Blastomicosis etc.

ii. Laboratory diagnostic procedures in respiratory mycoses

(k)Opportunistic infections in the immunosuppressed host

(l) Respiratory parasitic infections

1.1.4. Pathology

(a) Acute and chronic inflammation

(b)Tuberculosis

(c) Pneumonia and bronchopulmonary suppuration

(d)Chronic bronchitis and emphysema, asthma

(e) Occupational lung diseases and pneumoconiosis

(f) Interstitial Lung Diseases

(g)Tumours of the lung, mediastinum and pleura

(h)Various mechanisms of hypersensitivity reactions in respiratory diseases

(i) Immunological and pathological tests in Allergic diseases of the lung – in vitro and in vivo tests, bronchial provocation test

(j) Immunology of Tuberculosis.

1.1.4 Epidemiology

(a) Epidemiological terms and their definitions

(b)Epidemiological techniques of surveys

(c) Epidemiology of tuberculosis, pneumoconiosis, asthma, COLD and lung cancer

(d)National Tuberculosis Control Programme and the Revised NTCP

(e) BCG and prevention of TB

(f) Research methods and study designs

1.1.5 Pharmacology

(a) Antimicrobial drugs

(b)Antitubercular drugs

(c) Antineoplastic drugs

(d)Corticosteroids and other anti-inflammatory drugs.

(e) Anti-asthma drugs

(f) Drugs used in microbial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections

(g)Pharmacokinetics and drugs interaction for commonly used drugs in respiratory diseases

1.2 Clinical Sciences

1.2.1 Infections

1.2.1.1 Tuberculosis

(a) Aetiopathogenesis

(b)Diagnostic methods of TB & M.D.R. TB.

(c) Differential diagnosis

(d)Management of pulmonary tuberculosis including drug-resistant TB

(e) Complications in tuberculosis

(f) Tuberculosis in children

(g)Geriatric tuberculosis

(h)Pleural and pericardial effusion and empyema

(i) Mycobacterial other than tubercular infections

(j) Extra pulmonary tuberculosis

(k)HIV and tuberculosis

(l) HIV & MDR TB

1.2.1.2 Non- Tuberculous infections of the lungs

(a) Upper respiratory tract infections

(b)Approach to a patient with pulmonary infection.

(c) Community-acquired pneumonias

(d)Nosocomial pneumonias

(e) Unusual and atypical pneumonia including bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic

(f) Bronchiectasis and lung abscess

(g)Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and opportunistic infections in an immuno-compromised host.

(h)Bronchitis and bronchiolitis

1.2.2 Non- infectious Lung Diseases

1.2.2.1 Interstitial Lung Disorders

(a) Immune defence mechanisms of the lung

(b)Sarcoidosis

(c) Hypersensitivity pneumonia

(d)Lung involvement in connective tissue disorders

(e) Eosinophilic pneumonia and tropical eosinophilia

(f) Pulmonary vasculitides

(g)Reactions of the interstitial space to injury

(h)Pulmonary fibrosis

(i) Occupational pulmonary diseases

(j) Interstitial diseases of other aetiologies

(k) Drug-induced pulmonary diseases

(l) Aspiration and inhalational (non-occupational diseases of the lung

1.2.2.2 Pulmonary Circulatory disorders

(a) Pulmonary oedema

(b)Pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale

(c) Pulmonary thromboembolic diseases

(d)Cardiac problems in a pulmonary patient and pulmonary diseases

produced by cardiac diseases

1.2.2.3. Obstructive diseases of the lungs

(a) Asthma

(b)Chronic obstructive lung disease

(c) Pulmonary rehabilitation

1.2.2.4 Cancer of the lungs

(a) Epidemiology, pathology, natural history, clinical picture and staging of

the carcinoma of lungs and other tumours

(b)Approach to the diagnosis of a pulmonary nodule.

(c) Medical management and surgical treatment of lung cancer.

(d)Radiation therapy in the management of carcinoma ling

(e) Paraneoplastic syndromes

1.2.2.5 Diseases of the mediastinum

(a) Benign and malignant tumours

(b)Non-neoplastic disorders

(a) Immune defence mechanisms of the lung

(b)Sarcoidosis

(c) Hypersensitivity pneumonia

(d)Lung involvement in connective tissue disorders

(e) Eosinophilic pneumonia and tropical eosinophilia

(f) Pulmonary vasculitides

(g)Reactions of the interstitial space to injury

(h)Pulmonary fibrosis

(i) Occupational pulmonary diseases

(j) Interstitial diseases of other aetiologies

(k) Drug-induced pulmonary diseases

(l) Aspiration and inhalational (non-occupational diseases of the lung

1.2.2.2 Pulmonary Circulatory disorders

(a) Pulmonary oedema

(b)Pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale

(c) Pulmonary thromboembolic diseases

(d)Cardiac problems in a pulmonary patient and pulmonary diseases

produced by cardiac diseases

1.2.2.3. Obstructive diseases of the lungs

(a) Asthma

(b)Chronic obstructive lung disease

(c) Pulmonary rehabilitation

1.2.2.4 Cancer of the lungs

(a) Epidemiology, pathology, natural history, clinical picture and staging of

the carcinoma of lungs and other tumours

(b)Approach to the diagnosis of a pulmonary nodule.

(c) Medical management and surgical treatment of lung cancer.

(d)Radiation therapy in the management of carcinoma ling

(e) Paraneoplastic syndromes

1.2.2.5 Diseases of the mediastinum

(a) Benign and malignant tumours

(b)Non-neoplastic disorders

1.2.2.6 Disorders of the pleura

(a) Pleural dynamics and effusions

(b)Non-neoplastic and neoplastic pleural diseases

(c) Pneumothorax

(d)Pyothorax and broncho-pleural fistula and its complications.

1.2.2.7 Sleep-related breathing disorders

1.2.2.8 Obesity hypoventilation diseases

1.2.2.9 High altitude problems

1.2.2.10 Drug-induced disorders

1.2.2.11 Disorders of the diaphragm

1.2.2.12 Tobacco smoking

1.2.2.13 Respiratory failure

(a) Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: pathology, pathogenesis diagnosis and management

(b)Respiratory failure in a patient with obstructive airway disease.

(c) Respiratory muscle fatigue.

(d) Respiratory and haemodynamic monitoring in acute respiratory failure

(e) Mechanical ventilation (indications, modes, complications and weaning)

1.2.2.14 Comprehensive Critical Care

1.2.2.15 Respiratory Care

(a) Oxygen therapy

(b)Inhalational therapy

(c) Bronchial hygiene

1.2.2.16 Environmental problems ( Both outdoor and Indoor).

1.2.3Surgical aspects of Chest medicine

(a) Pre and post-op evaluation and management of thoracic surgical patients.

(b)Postoperative pulmonary complications

(c) Chest trauma/trauma-related lung dysfunction

1.2.4. Investigative / Therapeutic procedures

(a) Pulmonary function tests and their interpretation in determining the disability

(b)Spirometry, compliance, airway resistance, lung volume, pulmonary diffusion

(c) Bronchoscopy, thoracoscopy and other endoscopic procedures

(d)Chest Imaging- x-ray chest, ultrasound, CT. bronchography

(e) Blood gas analysis

(f) Cardiopulmonary exercise testing

(g)Bronchoprovocation tests

(h)Pulmonary angiography

(i) ECG and ECHO

1.2.5. Research and Clinical Epidemiology

(a) Research methodology and study design (cohort, case-control,

randomized clinical trials. Observational and cross-sectional studies.

(b)Common statistical methods for the analysis of research

(c) Sources of bias

1.2.6 Critical care and Assisted Ventilation

(a) Respiratory Failure: Pathogenesis, causes, diagnosis and management

(b)Sepsis

(c) Resuscitation of the critically ill including

(d)Cardiopulmonary mechanics

(e) Ventilatory principles, application, assessment and monitoring

(f) Multiple organ support systems

(g)Ventilatory care and support: Nutritional support; Infection control complications

(h)Weaning from mechanical ventilation

(i) Comprehensive care of the comatose

(j) ICU designing and control

1.2.7 Paediatric pulmonology

(a) Respiratory problems in children

(b)Infective pneumonias

(c) Childhood tuberculosis

(d)Respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn

(e) Bronchopulmonary dysplasias

(f) Congenital malformations

(g)Bronchial asthma

(h)Cystic fibrosis

(i) Special management problems in children

1.2.8 Pulmonary Radiology and Imaging

(a) Interpretation of plain radiography, contrast studies, CT scan M.R.I. and ultrasound examination of the thorax.

(b)Interpretation of ventilation/ perfusion and other scintillation scans

1.2.9 Respiratory rehabilitation

1.2.10. Ethical, legal economic and other related issues involved in respiratory and critical care

(a) Prioritization of care

(b)Withholding and withdrawing mechanical ventilation

(c) Legal consent

(d)Brain death-certification

(e) Palliative care and other End of life Issues

2. CLINICAL SKILLS

(a) Clinical history taking and examination: the ability to analyse different clinical symptoms and signs: interpret their significance and reach a diagnosis

(b)Interpretation of laboratory data

(c) Interpretation of pulmonary function tests, ECG, ECHO and other investigations

(d)Interpretation of chest roentgenography

(e) Pulmonary histopathology and cytology

(f) Oxygen therapy

(g)Nebulization therapy

(h)Mechanical ventilation- indications and applications

3. PRACTICAL SKILLS

3.1 Microbiological

(a) Sputum smear staining: Gram’s and AFB staining

(b)Mantoux testing

(c) BCG vaccination

(d)Skin sensitivity tests

3.2 Pulmonary Function Tests

(a) Spirometry

(b)Bronchoprovocation tests

(c) Body plethysmography

(d)Respiratory sleep monitoring

(e) Exercise testing.

3.3 Diagnostic procedures

3.3.1 Fine needle biopsy of lymph nodes, lung and mediastinal masses

3.3.2 Biopsy of pleural and lung masses

3.3.3 Fiberoptic broncho-endoscopic examination and related procedures including bronchial and transbronchial lung biopsy, bronchoalveolar lavage and fine needle aspiration (At least 50 procedures)

3.4 Therapeutic Procedures / Interventions

3.4.1 Aspiration of pleural and pericardial effusion

3.4.2 Tube thoracostomy

3.4.3 Respiratory muscle exercising

3.4.4 Medical emergency management

3.4.4.1 Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

3.4.4.2 Management of acute emergencies

(a) Acute respiratory failure

(b)Acute asthma

(c) Pneumothorax

(d)Haemoptysis

(e) Pulmonary thromboembolism

(f) Multiple organ failure

3.4.5 Mechanical Ventilation: On-hand training in providing both short and long term mechanical ventilatory support

3.4.5.1 Invasive

(a) Endotracheal intubation

(b)Ventilatory settings

(c) Care and maintenance

(d)Monitoring

(e) Weaning

Career Options

After completing a DM in Pulmonary Medicine, candidates will get employment opportunities in Government as well as in the Private sector.

In the Government sector, candidates have various options to choose from which include Registrar, Senior Resident, Demonstrator, Tutor, etc.

While in the Private sector, the options include Resident Doctor, Consultant, Visiting Consultant (Pulmonary Medicine), Junior Consultant (Pulmonary Medicine), Senior Consultant (Pulmonary Medicine), and Pulmonary Medicine Specialist.

Courses After DM in Pulmonary Medicine Course

DM in Pulmonary Medicine is a specialization course that can be pursued after finishing a Postgraduate medical course. After pursuing a specialization in DM in Pulmonary Medicine, a candidate could also pursue certificate courses and Fellowship programmes recognized by NMC and NBE, where DM in Pulmonary Medicine is a feeder qualification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) –DM in Pulmonary Medicine Course

Answer: The full form of DM is a Doctorate of Medicine.

Answer: DM Pulmonary Medicine or Doctorate of Medicine in Pulmonary Medicine also known as DM in Pulmonary Medicine is a super specialty level course for doctors in India that they do after completion of their postgraduate medical degree course.

Answer: DM in Pulmonary Medicine is a super speciality programme of three years.

Answer: The candidate must have a postgraduate medical Degree in MD/DNB (General Medicine) or MD/DNB (Paediatrics) or MD/DNB (Respiratory Medicine) obtained from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (Now NMC)/NBE, this feeder qualification mentioned here is as of 2022. For any further changes to the prerequisite requirement please refer to the NBE website.

Answer: DM in Pulmonary Medicine offers candidates various employment opportunities and career prospects.

Answer: The DM in Pulmonary Medicine candidate's average salary is between Rs. 18 lakhs to Rs. 25 lakhs per year depending on the experience.

Answer: The candidate can teach in a medical college/hospital after completing the DM course.